Gaffer: Pompey better with Close in the middle

Gaffer for a day Matt Reeder previews today's Scunthorpe v Pompey game.
Pompey midfielder Ben Close Picture: Joe PeplerPompey midfielder Ben Close Picture: Joe Pepler
Pompey midfielder Ben Close Picture: Joe Pepler

This is a really tough game against a physical team. Scunthorpe is not an easy place to go.

I was there for the 5-1 defeat under Richie Barker in 2014 when our fans cheered after pretending we had scored a goal.

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It was real doom and gloom in that game and I’m hoping for something a lot better tomorrow.

Certainly, I’ve seen some hope in each game this season and I believe Kenny Jackett is the kind of manager who can develop this team.

Having won 4-1 against Fleetwood, you would hope we can keep it going against somebody at the lower end of the table.

Instead, we have sixth-placed Scunny, which represents another test of our credentials of whether we have progressed that bit further each week.

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In terms of team selection, you would expect Dion Donohue to come in for Damien McCrory at left-back. In fairness, he did quite well when he came on against Fleetwood.

I think it’s better with Ben Close in the middle. Adam May has done really well, but Close has that bit more experience.

Bringing in Oliver Hawkins is a consideration, but that would be really harsh on Conor Chaplin following last weekend’s result.

The only reason I would bring Hawkins in would be we’re away from home and it could be a battle against Scunny, you don’t want to be outmuscled.